Parent Movie Reviewby Kerry Bennett

Just in time for Earth Day 2011, Disney Studio releases another in the company’s series of nature documentaries. This time thefilmmakers turn their cameras on a family of lions and a lone cheetah mother in the African savanna as they nurture a new generation of cubs.

Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the movie introduces Mara, the daughter of an experienced and aging lioness named Layla. Beginning her life in the safety and companionable atmosphere of a pride, the young cub thrives until her mother is injured during a hunting expedition. The group also suffers when the herds of grazing animals migrate in search of greener pastures. With limited food sources and dropping water levels, the pride is later threatened by an invading lion. Kali wants to drive out the group’s male leader and take over the lionesses.

Sita the cheetah lives the life of a single mother and is forced to leave her five cubs alone while she hunts for game. She also must protect them from predators including hyenas and other young male cheetahs.

Considering the savage reality of the wild, this story, billed as a "true life adventure", censors most of the more gruesome aspects of the food chain and life in the natural world. When the predators do bring down their prey, the final kills take place off screen. However considering this is a documentary, not all realism can be deleted. After the lionesses slaughter one animal, its torn, bloody flesh is seen along with some blood on the fur of the lions. Animals also fight as they eat other dead wildlife.

Still the beautiful cinematography, shot in the Maasai Mari National Reserve in southwestern Kenya, along with affectionate animal interactions, is what the script predominantly focuses on. The filming location on the Reserve may account for the beasts seeming acceptance of humans, which allowed camera operators to catch some up-close footage of days-old cubs. As well, African Cats comes with a stirring musical score that leaves no doubt when danger is lurking nearby. Season Six American Idol winner Jordin Sparks also records the film’s theme song "The World I Knew".

About author

Kerry Bennett is interested in media from both a journalist and parent perspective. Along with authoring articles for several family-oriented publications, she has written for Parent Previews for over 15 years. As a parent herself, she believes parents play a powerful role in teaching media literacy in their homes.

African CatsRating & Content Info

Why is African Cats rated G?African Cats is rated G by the MPAA

Violence: Animals stalk and attack their prey on several occasions. (Actual killing is not seen on screen.) Later they are shown eating their kill. (Some torn flesh and blood is shown.) Animals threaten one another and engage in some brief biting and cuffing. There is discussion about two cubs that are lost and presumed dead. A lioness is injured during a hunt. She later leaves the pride to die on her own.

Sexual Content: Brief comments are made about the new male lion’s offspring.

Language: None noted.

Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted.

Page last updated July 17, 2017

More parents' guide for African Cats after the break...

African Cats Parents' Guide

How does this film ascribe human characteristics to the animals? Does that make it easier for audiences to relate to them? What role do the aardvarks and turtle play in this movie? Is it helpful to have a combination of serious and fun depictions to engage viewers?

In the movie Earth, predators such as the big cats are portrayed as the antagonists. How does that change in this movie? Does focusing on the mothers make these animals seem more likeable than when they are simply the hunters?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of African Cats movie is October 4, 2011. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: African Cats

Release Date: 4 October 2011

African Cats releases to home video on October 4, 2011, in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Bonus extras include: